Introductory psychology laboratories using graphic simulations of virtual subjects

Graphical simulations of the behavior of virtual subjects in laboratory or field microworlds were developed to teach research principles to introductory psychology students. Students conduct studies in laboratory classes, assuming the primary role of being an experimenter. Microworld modules were designed to foster the flexible exploration of important steps in the research process, including hypothesis generation, research planning and design, behavioral observation or testing, and data summarization and analysis. The modules were designed to impart a sense of behavioral “presence” so that students would obtain an appreciation of realistic behavioral observation and of testing methodologies. Microworlds that have been developed include infant preferential looking (cognitive processes), courting behavior of fireflies, personality test development, working memory, operant conditioning, single-cell recording of sensory function, and testing of brain-damaged people. Principles that guided the development of software modules and laboratory class exercises are discussed.